| Type: | Stadt |
| Overath | |
| Image Coa: | DEU_Overath_COA.svg |
| Coordinates: | 50.95°N 25°W |
| Image Plan: | Overath in GL.svg |
| State: | Nordrhein-Westfalen |
| Region: | Köln |
| District: | Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis |
| Elevation: | 70 - 348 |
| Area: | 68.8 |
| Postal Code: | 51491 |
| Area Code: | 02206, 02204, 02207 |
| Licence: | GL |
| Gemeindeschlüssel: | 05 3 78 024 |
| Divisions: | 7 |
| Website: | www.overath.de |
| Mayor: | Christoph Nicodemus[1] |
| Leader Term: | 2020 - 25 |
Overath (pronounced as /de/; pronounced as /ˈɔvəˌʁɔːt/) is a town in the Rheinisch-Bergischer district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Overath is located about 25 km east of Cologne, in the Bergisches Land. Despite the reclassification as a 'Stadt' (town, though the German understanding leans towards city) years ago due to surpassing the relevant population threshold, the former appellation Gemeinde (parish) seems more appropriate (particularly to the inhabitants) due to the spread-out villages it consists of.
The main settlement is in the Agger valley, with others spread on the hills surrounding it. The kleine Heckberg (small Heckberg, 348 m) near Federath is the highest point of Overath, and the whole Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis.
Neighbouring cities are Rösrath in the West, Bergisch Gladbach in the North-West, Lindlar in the North-East, Engelskirchen in the East and Much, Neunkirchen-Seelscheid and Lohmar in the South.
Overath is divided into 7 parts.
When first mentioned in 1060, Overath was called "Achera" (after the Agger river). Presumably because of the first settlement at a clearing (German Rodung) the name changed to "Ouerode" (about 1280), "Ovverode" (1304), "Overadt" (1582), and finally became "Overath".
In 1939, the population of Overath was 6,500. In 1946, it already exceeded 10,500 and continued to grow to 15,500 in 1970. The area of the community was extended in 1975, which increased the population to over 20,000.
Since then it has risen further up to 27,106 in December 2005.
The Catholic church is devoted to Saint Walpurga (Heilige Walburga). Until 1803 the Benedictines had a monastery in Cyriax, a subsidiary of Michaelsberg Abbey at Siegburg.
The Catholic church in Heiligenhaus is devoted to Saint Roch (Heiliger Rochus).
Marialindens church (St. Mariä Heimsuchung) is a pilgrimage destination for Saint Mary.
The B 55 und B 484 federal roads (German Bundesstraßen) as well as the A 4 Autobahn pass through area of the town. The A 4 has got two exits to Overath, Overath-Untereschbach and Overath.
The Cologne Bonn Airport is reachable within 25 minutes.
The railway station in Overath connects the town with Cologne and Marienheide. The train heading for Cologne departs every 30 minutes, the train heading for Marienheide departs every 60 minutes. Cologne is reachable by train in within 35 minutes.
These traffic connections, together with rural surroundings, make Overath a popular place to live for commuters.
There is no hospital in Overath. The nearest hospitals are in Bergisch Gladbach and Engelskirchen.
The city council consists of 38 members. The current breakdown, from the general elections held September 26, 2004, is as follows:
| Party | 2004 | 1999 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDU | 19 | 22 | |
| SPD | 9 | 8 | |
| FDP | 6 | 5 | |
| Grüne | 4 | 3 |
Christoph Nicodemus was elected mayor (German Bürgermeister) in September 2020, representing CDU, Greens and FDP.
The coat of arms of Overath was only created on March 3, 1938. It consists of two areas:
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany. Overath is twinned with:[2]
Pérenchies, France